Congress at odds with US govt over F-16s

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WASHINGTON: The US Congress has decided not to subsidise the sale of eight F-16s Pakistan intends to buy from the United States until Islamabad takes some “specific actions” against the militants who use Pakistani territory to carry out attacks inside Afghanistan.

The Obama administration, however, still contends it is in US interest to go ahead with the sale. “Key members of Congress have been clear they are not prepared to support FMF (foreign military financing) for the F-16s absent some specific actions,” a State Department official told Dawn. “I would direct you to them for anything further on their position.”